Assessing teacher-student interactions in the classroom is critical, but most research has relied on short observation periods due to the infeasibility of longer sessions. Our study assessed and quantified the emotional tone (i.e., teacher sentiment) of classroom teachers' language patterns throughout the school day using transcriptions of 149…

Assessing teacher-student interactions in the classroom is critical, but most research has relied on short observation periods due to the infeasibility of longer sessions. Our U.S. study assessed and quantified the emotional tone (i.e., teacher sentiment) of classroom teachers' language patterns throughout the school day using transcriptions of…

The primary goal of this study was to examine a key but understudied link between early career teachers' expectations (as outcomes) and their thinking styles (as teacher factors). A second goal was to explore whether teacher self-efficacy, discipline, and grade level would moderate this relationship. We collected self-report data from 390 school…

This dissertation explores the relationship between teacher experience, defined by years of service and grade span, and trust levels in educational leadership and among stakeholders within the school community. Trust is critical in fostering positive educational environments, enhancing collaboration, and ensuring the successful implementation of…

Motivation plays a crucial role in mathematical competence, with motivated students tending to perform better than those who lack motivation. Given that teachers can play a significant role in fostering student motivation, the aim of this study was to investigate teachers' influence on students' motivation to learn mathematics. Alongside the…

In education, assessment helps shape teaching practices and student outcomes, as it influences how teachers perceive their roles, approach instruction, and engage with students. This study investigated 3rd-8th grade English Language Arts and mathematics teachers' conceptions of the NWEA MAP Growth assessment, focusing on four key factors: (1)…

The purpose of this study was to investigate if differences in perceived professional self-efficacy were due to various demographic characteristics for educators in a rural East Texas school district. Participants in this study were full-time teachers within the school district. The district consists of 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1…

There are many things new teachers must learn during their first year in order to effectively teach their students. The struggle during this first year causes many new teachers to become frustrated by a seemingly unmanageable workload, feelings that they are not getting the support they need, and feelings of failure that might cause them to…

This dissertation explored the unique experiences of general education teachers teaching in an inclusive classroom (which will also be referred to as a "mainstream classroom") with a combination of students with and without autism (which will also be referred to as "autism spectrum disorder" and "ASD"). This was a…